Firefighters to search ruins of burned townhome (w/video)

The search continues for a man who has not been accounted for after a fast-moving fire at a townhome just west of downtown Houston early this morning.

The 2-alarm fire broke out about in the 4500 block of Dickson near Patterson about 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Houston Fire Department.

A 60-year old man who lived at the townhome has not been accounted for said Patrick Trahan, an HFD spokesman.

Trahan said one of the man’s relatives told HFD officials the man was at the home Monday night, but they have been unable to contact him so far today.

Crews also plan to use a power shovel to gently pick through the debris. A dog trained in recovery of human remains was brought to the scene about 10:30 a.m. to search through the rubble of the destroyed townhome, he added.

The two-story home collapsed and was completely destroyed by the fire, Trahan said. Investigators are trying to determine what cause the blaze.

Neighbors said late this morning they were still trying to overcome the shock of seeing the blaze.. They were jarred awake by huge flames shooting from the home, shattering windows and sirens from fire engines and police.

They hope their neighbor is found unharmed. He is well liked and friendly, they said.

“I heard sirens,” said Joan Pariseau, who lives a few doors away from the charred townhome. “I went outside. I saw the flames. It was horrible. It was scary.”